Annunciator drop



Dec. 30, 1924.

C. HERRMANN ANNUNCIATOR DROP Filed Feb. 16, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Charles Harri/ a700,

ATTORNEYS c. HERRMA NN ANNUNC IATOR DROP File d Feb. 16, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR faarZes Eerrmanm BY J6 4 W flq M mom-revs Patented Dec. 30, 1924.

PAE'EN'E FICE.

CHARLES HERRMANN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CHAS. CORY & SON, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ANNUNCIATOR DROP.

Application filed February 16, 1921. Serial No. M5385.

1 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HERRMANN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Annunciator Drops, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a signalling apparatus and more particularly to an annunciator drop signalling means and has special reference to the provision of an annunciator drop of a self restoring type in which the parts are so constructed and arranged as to reduce vibration of the movable Parts when in active and inactive positions.

One of the principal objects of my present invention comprehends the provision of a drop of the type referred to in which the movable parts, such as the shutter element and the armature shall be self restoring, the parts being so constructed and related as to be positive in action in both its moving and stationary phases. To utilize the gravity of the movable parts toelfect the self restoring function permits the utilization of simple elements and the simple arrangement which is highly desirable in apparatus of this type, where compactness and especially smallness of space between centers of drops is the prime desideratum. found, however, that in apparatus of this type where gravity is dependent upon for the moving and the positioning of elements, and especially where such apparatus is used in series with an audible signalling means such as a bell or buzzer providing an intermittent current, that there is a great tendency of parts to move from their predetermined positions, especially when such drops are mounted on conveyances such as elevators, ships, etc, and especially when the drops are operated while the conveyances are in transit. The movement, vibration or shock which the drop is subjected to when thus operated, especially with an intermittent current which in itself causes chattering, is transmitted to the movable parts thereof, with the result that the shutter is uncertain in action and vibrates while in either its active or inactive position, result- It has beenv ing not only in a disagreeable chatter of the instrument but also in a blurred visual sig nal element resulting from the vibrations thereof. One of the principal objects of my present invention, therefore, is to provide a gravity reset annunciator drop having the desired simplicity of parts and arrangement and small compass, in which the gravity actuated elements will be positive in action and in which vibration of parts will be reduced to a minimum.

Viewed from another aspect, tion comprehends the provision of a movable signalling element having a gravitationally assumed inactive position, the element being movable to an active position by electromagnetic means, the said element being securely held in its gravitated position preferably by a gravity moment and in its active position by a magnetic moment for the purpose of minii'nizing the vibrations thereof.

Another object of my invention includes the provision of an annunciator drop of the type referred to in which the parts are so related as to combine a decreased reluctivity of the magnetic paths with consequent increase in the flux density, with movable magnetic elements so associated with the stationary magnetic elements providing the magnetic paths as to have a. facility of movement with respect thereto, means being provided to prevent or minimize the magnetic adhesion between the movable and stationary magnetic elements. here a gravity moment active on the drop resists a magnetic moment operative thereon, which is generally the case in gravity resetapparatus, the reluctivity of the magnetic paths should be small to increase the attracting power of the magnet, it being higlil desirable to reduce magnetic friction, that is to say friction between movable and stationary magnetic or magnetized elements in order to decrease the resulting resistance to such magnetic attraction. My invention comprehends the provision of a drop in which the magnetic adhesion between the parts is minimized, reducing magnetic friction to a minimum.

Still further objects of my. invention inmy inven -more particularly in both its active and inactive positions; the further provision of an'apparatus of this type in which a unitary locking means is provided for holding the movable partsin both the active and inactive positions; the provision of a novel solenoid system for operating the movable parts and the locking means and the general provision of apparatus of this nature in which the parts are capable of'simplicity of mannfaeturing operation, facility of. assembly, compactness of arrangement and surety of action. 7 7

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the elements and their relation one to the other, as here ina-fter particularly described and sought to be defined in the claims, reference being. had

to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments of my invention and in which Flgure 1 is an elevational view of one form of my annunciator drop with parts shown in section and showing the active position of the annunciator 1n dotted hne positlon; lnactlve posltion being shown in full lines,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a view of a modification of my annunciator drop with parts shown in section and showing my novel locking means therefor,

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the same with parts broken away and showing the signal element in active position.

Referring to Figures 1 and '2 ofthe drawings, the annunciator drop includes the electromagnet 10 stationarily mounted, as on a board or plate'll, it being understood that a plurality of such electromagnets are mounted in adjacent positions on such board orrplate 11. The magnet is provided with the usual core 12 forming its pole piece, the

magnet being secured on plate 13 formed preferably of magnetic material, such as iron,the magnet being secured to said plate as by means of a nut or bolt 1e received by the core 12 of the magnet. 'The magnet and plate are held in secured position on the board 11, preferably by such securing means as bolts 15, shown, for example, in F igure 1 of the drawings. The plate 18 is preferably formed integrally with a bracket 16, the said bracket being supplied with an upturned supporting portion 17 for supporting the movable parts of the drop, to be described presently. It will be noted that the bracket 16, plate 13 and support 17 are magnetically connected to the magnet core 12 at one end of. said core, the support 17 being spaced from the other end of the core to provide an air gap in which the movable armature to be presently described is adapted to move, the bracket, plate and support being in effect an extension of the core providing thus a magnetic path for the lines of flux when the magnet 10 is energized, these parts being preferably thickened, as shown in the drawmgs, to provlde a creased reluctivity.

,On .the'support 17 is preferably oscillatably'mounted the armature 18, having a leg portion 19 adapted to be received in a recess 20, formed preferably centrally and at an end of the support 17, the-armature 18 being pivotally mount-ed on the support 17 a pin. 21 received by ;alined boresin the path of relatively de-' support 17 and leg 19 forming the pivotal mounting for the said armature 18. F or the purpose of reducing orniinimizing magnetic adhesion or ma netic friction between the movable armature 18 and thest-ationary magnetic support 1'4, the pin 21 is preferably made of a nonmagnetic inateriahopposed; washers 22 also formed of nonmagnetic.

material being inserted between the movable armature 18 and the walls adjoining the I forcibly. hold the partsin such active po-- sition. Tothis end the armature 18 comprises preferably a wingelement or a foot element having a heel portion 23 and atoeportion 24, the said armature being; attracted by the core 12 when the magnet is energized and moved lnto active position, as shownin dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings, the

toe portion 24 when moved to active position being" so arranged as to be stopped by a portion of the support 17, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The parts are so constructed that in theposition shown in dotted lines inthe said Figure 1 the center of magnetic attraction is beyond or above thepivotal support 21, as viewed in Figure 1. With the parts so arranged and during energization of the magnet 10, a magnetic moment active on the armature 18 will be exerted, tending to move thearmati'ire in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, this magnetic moment forcing the toe 24 of the armature in close contact the armature steadily in its active position and resisting and minimizing vibration of the armature while. in such active position. I may obtain this magnetic moment in any of several ways as, for example,by so proportioning the heel and toe portions of the armature as to situate the greater mass.

with the support 17, this activity holding of magnetic material above the horizontal plane passing through the pivotal axis 21, thus securing a center of magnet attraction above the said pivotal axis. To attain the same end I may also so contour the foot portion as to provide a flat heel 25 and an eccentric or cam toe 26, a part of the flat heel and a part of the eccentric toe being positioned opposite the core 12 when the armature is in active position. lVith this construction it will be seen that the air gap between the magnet core 12 and the armature 18 is in elifect wedge shaped, being wider at the bottom than at the top, the effect of this arrangement being that when the armature is in active position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, the magnet core 12 cooperates with the armature 18 with a tendency to further reduce the air gap t-herebetween, the resulting eliect obtained being a continued pull on the armature 18 about its axis of oscillation with a magnetic moment produced about such axis. As an alternative 1 may arrange the axis of the core 12 above the horizontal plane passing through the pivotal axis 21 so that when the parts are in magnetic equilibrium the center of magnetic attraction is at the point desired to provide the magnetic moment referred to. This latter arrangement, for example, is more clearly illustrated in the form shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

For the purpose of minimizing magnetic adhesion between the armature and its support when the armature is in its active position 1 preferably construct the armature element 18 of laminated parts, there being n'ovided opposed laminw 27 made of magnetic material and an interposed lamina 28, preferably made of a nonmagnetic material such as brass, these parts being preferably secured together, as by means of a riveted bolt 29. The nonmagnetic lamina 28 is so contoured as to provide a portion protruding from the toe and heel. surfaces of the laminae 27, the toe end of lamina 28 being adapted to contact with the support 17, the toe portions of the opposed magnetic laminae 27 being in this manner held out of contact with the magnetic support 17. By this means the sticking between magnetic elements or the magnetic adhesion between the parts is minimized, permitting a quick return of the armature to inactive position when the magnet 10 is deenergized.

The signaling element proper, designated as 30, comprises a shutter including the usual plate 31 having the desired imprint of legendary matter thereon, the signalling ele ment having yoke arms 32 preferably journalled on the pivot pin 21 and held thereon by enlarged heads of the said pivot pin, the yoke arms 32 terminating in parallelly arranged portions 33 attached to the lamina) comprising the armature 18, the rivet 29 being utilized for attaching the parallel portions 33 to the said armature 18. In this manner the signalling element is preferably directly attached to the armature and is movable therewith in a simple manner.

The. armature and the signalling element connected thereto are adapted to be self restoring, gravity of the parts being preferably utilized to accomplish the self restoring function. To this end the parts are so arranged that the center of gravity of the movable elements comprising the armature and the signalling element is located to the left of pivot 21, as viewed in Figure 1 of the drawings, when the movable elements are in their active position, as shown in dotted lines in the said Figure 1. As will be apparent, when the magnet 10 is deenergized, the gravity of the parts will move the signalling element to its inactive or inoperative position and into position as shown in full lines in the said Figure 1. For the purpose of holding the movable elements in their inactive position a projection 34 preferably stamped out or struck up from one of the yoke arms is provided, the projection being adapted to engage the support 1?, as shown for example, in Figure l of the drawings. In order to hold the armature and the signalling element in inactive position against vibration of the parts, a gravity moment is preferably provided, the parts being so arranged that the center of gravity of the movable elements, as viewed in Figure 1, is to the left of the pivot 21 when the parts are in inactive position, as shown in full lines in the said figure, this resulting in the production of a. gravity moment tending to move the armature and its sup ported parts counterclockwise with the projection 34L urged or forcibly held against the support 17.

Referring to the form of my device shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, in addition to the parts already described, I may also provide, as shown in the said Figures 3 and a, a locking means to hold the movable parts in either its active or inactive position or both, my preferred arrangen'ient comprehending a unitary locking means for holding the movable parts in both of its positions. This modified form of my apparatus includes the stationary magnet 10 having the core 12, these parts being mounted on the bracket 16, the core being secured to the said bracket by means of the securing element 1d, the bracket, in turn, being stationarily mounted on the board 11 as by means of the securing elements 1*. similar to the form shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The movable parts of my device here. as in the form shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, comprise the armature .13 pivotally mounted on the support 17, as by means of the pivot 21, the signallingelement '30" having the legendary plate 31 being directly connected preferably to the armature 18, the projection 34 being coupling being made of a nonmagnetic material such as brass, for example, -The cores 12" and'12 are alined, as shown in the drawings, the said cores being provided with a central bore 35in which is movably mounted a plunger made, for example, of iron, as 36, the said plunger being provided with a reduced end portion 37 movable in, a reduced bore38 provided in the said core 12, the said plunger being adapted to cooperate with the armature to lock the same in active and'in'active position, the end portion 37 cooperating with the toe of the armature to force the same in its inactive position and cooperating with notch 39 provided in the said armature tolock the same in active position, as shown for example, in Figure of the drawings. The plunger 36 is preferably spring pressed, a spring 40 housed in the core 12 being provided for normally urging the plunger with its end portion 37 in the path of armature movement and against the toe of the armature as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

For the purpose of unlocking the armature to permit the same to move to active position, I provide means for moving the plunger 36 inwardly in its housing in the core, such means coi'nprising solenoid winding 41 connected in series with the magnet winding 10, as by means'of lead 44,-the magnet and the solenoid winding being thus connected in. series and with an audible signalling element 44 and across the line wires 45 and 46, the usual switch 47 being pro vided in such circuit. As will be apparent, upon closing the switch 47 both the magnet 10 and. the solenoid 41 will be energized, the solenoid 41 being active on the plunger 36 to move the same inwardly and to unlock the armature 18, the magnet '10 being active tomove the armature 18 to active position with the toe portion of the armament of the armature to inactive position, I

preferably provide a second solenoid wind-p ing 42 arranged concentricallyvv-ith the winding 4'l, to be active on the plunger 36, the said second solenoid 42 being connected in an independentcircuit and across the lines 48 and 49, switch 50*being provided,

For the purposeof reducingmagnetic ad llesion between the armature and the lock ing element 37 in contact therewith, the notch 39 formed in the central lamina 28 has a bottom wall'situated above the bottomwalls of the notches formed inthe magnetic laminae 27, as shown for example in Figure 3 of the drawings; WVith this construction it will be evident that the magnetic plunger 36 will. not contact with the tic-n of structure and operation. It will be obviousthat I have provided an annunciator drop of the self restoring type and more specifically of. thegravity reset type, in which the parts are arranged in a simple mannerand in which the parts are adapted for certainty of operation, magnetic adhesion and friction being minimized, in which V the movable elements are held in predeten mined positions in such manner as to reduce' liability of rebounding movement or vibration thereof, a novel and simple locking means and its operativesolenoid system being provided for efficiently locking the movable parts in the desired predetermined positions. r V

While I have shown and described my device in the preferred form, it will be obvious that manychanges and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention,.defined in the following claims.

I claim: r

1. Ina signalling apparatus, an electroma'gnet wit-h its pole piece, a laminated armature including magnetic and non-magnetic laminae portions mounted so as to'be movable transversely with respect to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith the pole piece having an extension providing a magnetic path for the lines of flux and a stop means for limiting the motion of the arn'iature in one direction, the nonmagnetic portions extending to engage the stop means, said magnet pole piece and armature including means whereby the magnetic pull of the energized magnet on the movable armature will move the armature to the said limitingposition and exert a continued pull on the armature in the said position to force the nonanagnetic portion of th same into engagement with the stop means to prevent vibration of the said. armature in the said position.

2. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature oscillatably n'iounted with respect to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the said armature and signal element being movable in one direction into an active position when. the magnet is energized and being movable in another direction into an inactive position by the action of gravity, the pole piece having an extension providing a magnetic path for the lines of flux and a stop means for limiting the motion of the armature in both directions, said magnet pole piece and armature including means whereby the magnetic pull of the energized magnet on the armature will move the same to one 01. said limiting positions and when in such position will exert a magnetic moment on the armature about the axis of oscillation efiective to force the armature against the stop means to prevent vibration. of the same in the said limiting position, there being also a gravity moment about the axis of oscillation when the armature is in its inactive limiting position to force the armature against the stop means to prevent vibration of the same in the said latter limiting position, whereby a substantially vibrationless signalling apparatus is obtained.

3. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, a bracket associated with said pole piece and providing a magnetic path for the lines of flux, an armature pivotally mounted on the bracket and adapted to move relatively to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the bracket being also a stop n eans engageable with a portion ot the armature to limit movement of the same in one direction and with a portion of the signal element to limit movement of the same in the opposite direction, said magnet pole piece and armature including means whereby the magnetic pull of the energized magnet will pull the armature to the first mentioned limiting position and when in the said position will exert a magnetic moment about the pivotal axis of the armature eiiective to force the armature against the stop means to prevent vibration.

l. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, a bracket magnetically connected with said pole piece and providing a magnetic path for the lines of flux, an armature pii 'otally mounted on the bracket and adapted to move relatively to the pole oi" the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the bracket being also a stop means engageable with a portion of the armature to limit movement of the same in one direction and with a portion or" the signal element to limit movement of the same in the opposite direction, said magnet pole piece anc arn'iature including means whereby the magnetic pull of the energized magnet will pull the armature to the first mentioned limiting position and When in the said position will exert a magnetic moment about the pivotal axis of the armature effective to force the armature against the stop means to prevent vibration, and when the magnet is deenergized a gravity moment will move the armature and signal element to the second mentioned limiting position and will be active to force the signal element against the stop means to prevent vibration.

5. In a signalling apparatus, an electroin'agnet with its pole piece, a bracket magneticaily connected with said pole piece and providing a magnetic'path for the lines of flux, a laminated armature including spaced magnetic laminae portions and an intermediate nonanagnetic lamina portion pivotally mounted on the bracket and adapted to move relatively to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the bracket being also stop means engageable with the nonmagnetic portion oi"? the armature to limitmovement of the same in one direction, said magnet pole piece and armature including means whereby the magnetic pull of the energized magnet will pull the armature to the said limiting position and when in the said position will exert a magnetic moment about the pivotal axis of the armature effective to force the armature against the stop means to prevent vibration.

6. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, a bracket magnetically connected with said pole piece and providing a magnetic path for the lines of flux, an armature pivotally mounted on the bracket and adapted to move relatively to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the bracket being also a stop means for limiting the movement of the armature and the signal element in opposite directions, said magnet pole piece and armature including means ,whereby the magnetic pull o the energized magnet will pull the arn'ia'ture to one of the limiting positions in one direction and when in the said position will exert a magnetic moment about the pivotal axis of the armature effective to force the armature against the stop means to preventvibration.

7. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, a bracket magnetically connected with said pole piece and providing a magnetic path for the lines of flux, an armature pivotally mounted on the bracket and adapted to move rela- 'tively to the pole of the magnet, a signal elementconnected to the armature for movement therewith, the bracket being also a stop means for l1in1t1ng the movement otthe ar- 'iiiatiii'e and the signal element in opposite 11noment being effective on the armature {to force the same against the stop means in thelatter limiting position to prevent vibration oi? the armature when in such position.

8. In a gravity reset signalling apparatus, an. electroniagnet with its pole piece, a bracket magnetically connected with said pole piece and providing a path tor the inagneti'c flux, an a'rn'iature pivotally mounted on said bracket, the armature being provided with an eccentric wing portion adapted to move across the pole piece face when the magnet is energized,

:the armature being gravitationally movable unto-an inactive position, the bracket being i'also a stop means for limiting motion of the armature into its *two positions, the

wing portion of the armature being ar- -rangcd to engage the bracket stop means to limit the armature in its active position.

In a signalling apparatus, an electro- Jaiagllfit with its pole piece, an armature ill inovably n'iounted'witli respect to the pole it the magnet, a signal element connected --to the armature for movement therewith,

the armature and the signal element being gravitationally movable into an inactive position and being movable into an active position when the magnetis'energized, stop means for limiting motion of the armature in-both of its positions and provisions for lock ng thelarmature in both such positions, said provisions comprising a spring pressed the magnet.

ins-1,534

plungeinmovably mounted in the coreof 10. 111 a signallingapparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature inovably mounted with respect-to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movementtherewith, the armature and the signal element being gravita tionally movable into an inactive position and being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized, stop means for limiting the motion of the armature in its gravitated position and unitary provisions for locking the armature in both: of its positions, the said provisions being operative onthe armature when in its inactiveposition to force the same against the stop means.

11. In a signalling apparatus, an electro magnet with its pole piece, an armature movably mounted with respect tothe pole ot the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith,

the armature and the signal element being gravitationally movable into an inactive position and being movable into an active position when the magnet is energizedand provisions tor locking'the'armature in its active position,said provisions comprising a plunger movable in the core of the magnet and engageable with the armature for retaining the same in its active position.

12. In a signalling apparatus, an elec tromagnet with its pole piece, an armature movably mounted with respect to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the armature and the signal element being gravitationallymovable into an inactive position and being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized, a nonmagnetic eleinent vforming part of the armature and provisions for locking the armature in its active position, said provisions comprising a plunger movable in the core of the magnet and engageable with the nonmagnetic element of the armature for retaining the-same in its activeposition while minimizing the magnetic adhesion between the parts. 7 i

13. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature position when the magnet is energized, pro 7 visions for locking the armature in its active position, said provisions comprising a plunger movable in the core of the magnet and engageable with the armature for retaining the same in its active position and means comprising'a solenoid active on said plunger for moving the same to inoperative position to permit armature movement to inactive position.

14;. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature movably mounted with respect to the pole of the magnet, 21 signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the armature and the signal element being gravitationally movable into an inactive position and being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized, provisions for locking the armature in both of its said positions comprising a spring pressed plunger movable in the core of the magnet and having a portion normally in the path of armature movement and engageable with the armature for locking the same in its inactive position and solenoid means in series with the magnet coil operative for moving the plunger out of the path of armature movement when the mag net is energized, cessation of magnet and solenoid excitation causing the plunger to move into its normal position to engage the armature to lock the same in its active position.

15. In a signalling apparatus, an elec tromagnet with its pole piece, an armature movably mounted with respect to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the armature and the signal element being gravitationally movable into an inactive position and being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized, provisions for locking the armature in both of its said positions comprising a spring pressed plunger movable in the core of the magnet and having a portion normally in the path of armature movement and engageable with the armature for locking the same in its inactive position, solenoid means in series with the magnet coil operative tor moving the plunger out of the path of armature movement when the magnet is energized, cessation of magnet and solenoid eX- citation causing the plunger to move into its normal position to engage the armature to lock the same in its active position and means including a second solenoid operative to move the plunger to inoperative position to permit arn'iature movement to inactive position, cessation of excitation of the said second. solenoid causing the plunger to again move into operative position to lock the armature in its inactive position.

16. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature movably mounted with respect to the pole oi the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the armature and the signal element being gravitationally movable into an inactive position and ei g movable into an active position when the magnet; is energized, provisions tor locking the said armature in position et'nnprising a plunger movable in the magnet core and normally positioned in the path of armature movement and solenoid means in series with the magnet core operative for moving the plunger out of path of armature movement when the magnet is energized, cessation of magnet and solenoid excitation causin the plunger to move into its normal position to engage the armature to lock the same in its active position.

1?. In a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature movahtv mounted with respect to the pole oi the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the armature and the signal element being movable into an active position when the mag net is energized and into an inactive position when the magnet is deenergized, a stop means for limiting the motion of the armature'in its inactive position and unitary provisions for locking the armature in both of its positions, the said provisions being operative on the armature when in its inactive position to force the same against the stop means.

151 in a .s gnalling apparatus, an electromagnot with its pole piece, an armature movahlv mounted with respect to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith, the a ;atnrc and the signal element being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized and into an inactive position when the n'iagnet deene gized, pro- \Isions for loa-lcing the armature in both of its said positions comprising a spring pressed plunger movable in the core of the magnet and having av portion norn'ially in the path ot armature movement and engageable with the armature for locking the same in its inactive position and solenoid means in series with the magnet coil operative for moving the plunger out of the path of arnniture movement when the magnet is energized, cessation o't magnet and solenoid excitation causing the plunger to move into its normal position to engage the armature to lock the same in its active position. i

19. in a signalling apparatus, an electromagnet with its pole piece, an armature movably mounted with respect to the pole oi the magnet, a nal element connected to the arm: ure for movement therewith, the armature and the signal element being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized and into an inactive position when the magnet is deenergized, provisions tor locking the armature in both of its said positions comprising a spring pressed plunger movable in the core of the the path of armature movement and .en-

gageable with the arn'ia-ture for locking the same in its inactive position, solenoid means in series with the magnet coil operative for moving the plunger out oi the path oi? armature movement when the magnet is energized, cessation of magnet and solenoid excitation causing the plunger to move into its normal position to engage thearmature to lock the same in its active position and means including a second solenoid operative to move the plunger to inoperative position I to permit armature movement to inactive position, cessation of excitation of the said second solenoid causing the plunger to again move into inoperative position to lock the armature in its inactive position.-

20. in a signalling apparatus an electromagnet with its pole piece an armature movably mounted with respect to the pole of the magnet, a signal element connected to the armature for movement therewith the armature and the signal element being movable into an active position when the magnet is energized and into an inac tive position when the magnet is deenervgized, provisions for locking the said armature in position comprising a plunger movable intlie magnet core and normally posi tioned in the path of armature movement and solenoid means in series with the magnet core operative for moving. the plunger out of the path of armature movement when the magnet is energized, the cessation of magnet and solenoid excitation causing the plunger to move into its normal position to engage the armature to lock the same in its active position.

21. In a signalling apparatus, a signal element, an armature associated therewith a solenoid system for actuating the armature and locking the same in position comprising a magnet winding and its magnetic circuit operative on the armature to position the 7 same, a plunger movable in the core of the magnet and operative for locking the armature in position and a soleniod winding in series with the magnetic winding operative to move the plunger to inoperative position to perm it armature movement.

22. In a signalling apparatus, a signal element, an armature, associated therewith a solenoid systen'i for actuating the armature and, locking the same in position comp-rising a magnet winding and its magnetic circuit operative on the armature to position the same, a plunger movable in the core of the magnet and operative for locking the armature in position, a solenoid winding in series with the magnetic winding operative to move the plunger to inoperative position to permit armature movement and asecond V solenoid winding operative to move 1 the plunger to inoperative position without energizing the magnetwinding.

23. In a signalling apparatus, a signal element, an armature,. associated therewith a solenoid system for actuating the armature f and locking the same in position comprising a magnet winding with its core, asolenoid winding in series with said magnet winding and havinga core alined with the magnet core; there being a nonmagnetic 'gap between the said cores, a spring pressed plunger movable within the alined cores and a second solenoid winding independent of the other winding concentrically mounted with respect to the first solenoid winding.

24. In a signalling apparatus, a signal element, an armature, associated therewith a solenoid system for actuating the armature and locking the same in position comprising a magnet winding with its core, a solenoid winding in series with said magnet winding and having a core alined with the magnet core; there beinga nonmagnetic gap between the said cores, a spring pressed plunger movable within, the alined cores, a second solenoid winding independent of the outer winding concentrically mounted with respect to the first solenoid winding, a bracket magneticallyconnected to one of the cores and supporting the magnet windings and a magnetic plate and lockin the same in osition com risiiw b H a magnet winding with its core, asolenoid winding in serieswith said magnet winding and having a. core alined with the magnet core; there being a nonmagnetic gap between the said cores, a spring pressed plunger movable within the ialinedlcore sp a second solenoid winding independent of the other winding concentrically mounted with respect to the first solenoid winding, a bracket magnetically connected to one of said cores and supporting the windings; the said bracket 7 being provided with a portion spaced 'irom the other core to provide an air gap therebetween and an armature pivotally mounted on the said bracket portion and adapted to move with respect to said core during magnet energization to substantially close thesaid air gap.

Signed at New'York, in the county of and State of New York, this 15th day of February A. 1921.

CHARLES I-IERRMANN. 

